Designed by London interior designer Emma Ainscough, this four-storey Victorian townhouse feels deeply lived in, full of warmth, personality, and the kind of thoughtful details that only reveal themselves over time.

Originally brought on to help with furniture, finishes, and decoration, Emma Ainscough’s role soon expanded into a complete transformation of the property. Over several years, the project evolved into a full renovation, including a lower-ground extension, a complete reconfiguration of the layout, new architectural finishes, and carefully curated furnishings throughout.

The result is a home that respects its Victorian character while embracing a far more relaxed and contemporary way of living.

A Victorian House Designed for Modern Life

Victorian townhouses often come with beautiful proportions but challenging layouts. Here, the biggest change happened below ground.

The lower ground floor was completely opened up, creating a bright open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space that connects naturally with the garden. Instead of feeling enclosed, the new layout allows daylight to travel through the home, making even the darker corners feel inviting.

The extension provides space for a generous dining area, creating a home that’s clearly designed around entertaining friends and family rather than simply looking beautiful.

It’s the sort of renovation many Victorian homeowners dream about—keeping the history upstairs while making everyday life downstairs far easier.

A Boot Room That Makes a Memorable First Impression

One of the home’s most charming spaces is surprisingly practical.

Just off the entrance hall sits a dedicated boot room, proving that functional rooms deserve just as much personality as formal living spaces.

Emma Ainscough chose Beata Heuman’s playful Nettle wallpaper, pairing it with bold colours and a classic checkerboard floor. The combination feels cheerful without losing the hardworking character a boot room needs.

It’s a reminder that utility spaces don’t have to disappear into the background. Sometimes they’re the rooms guests remember most.

Rich Colours That Feel Warm Rather Than Heavy

Colour plays a huge role throughout the house.

Instead of relying on pale neutrals, the interiors embrace rich earthy tones that immediately make every room feel comfortable. Deep colours wrap the walls while carefully placed accents of red appear throughout the lower ground floor, creating visual rhythm without overwhelming the spaces.

The palette feels confident but never theatrical.

This layered approach is one reason the house feels so timeless. Rather than following a particular trend, the colours work together to create atmosphere.

Preserving Victorian Character Without Feeling Traditional

Many Victorian renovations lean heavily in one direction.

Some become ultra-modern white boxes.

Others preserve every original detail but struggle to function as contemporary homes.

Emma Ainscough found a balance between both.

Original architectural features provide character while new finishes, bespoke joinery, lighting, and furniture introduce a quieter, more relaxed elegance. Nothing feels overly precious, yet every room appears carefully considered.

The house celebrates its history without becoming trapped by it.

Texture Is Everywhere

Perhaps the most impressive element isn’t the colour at all—it’s the layering.

Natural wood, painted cabinetry, soft upholstery, patterned wallpaper, stone surfaces, vintage-inspired details, and carefully selected textiles all work together to create depth. Rather than relying on statement pieces, the interiors build interest gradually.

It’s this richness of material that gives the home its welcoming quality.

The rooms invite you to stay rather than simply admire them.

A Home That Reflects the People Who Live There

The most successful celebrity homes rarely feel like show houses.

This one certainly doesn’t.

Despite its beautiful finishes and carefully curated interiors, Michelle Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge’s home feels intimate, comfortable, and genuinely personal. Every decision—from the playful wallpaper in the boot room to the bold colour palette downstairs—suggests a house designed around everyday life rather than appearances.

Emma Ainscough has created something increasingly rare: a Victorian renovation that feels elegant without becoming formal, colourful without being overwhelming, and luxurious without ever feeling untouchable.

It’s exactly the kind of home that reminds us good design isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating spaces that become even more beautiful as life unfolds within them.